RMI Outlet

Plug Into New Ideas

Solutions Journal: Spring 2011—Caltech’s Linde + Robinson Laboratory to be First LEED Platinum Lab

When Caltech officials decided to renovate a 1932 astronomy building that will house a new center for environmental sciences, they thought life should mimic ideals—and thereby created what will be one of the greenest science facilities on the planet. Several RMI supporters and staff members worked with the design team on the Linde + Robinson Laboratory, which is expected to become the nation’s first LEED Platinum laboratory in a historic building after it opens in July.

Can “Green” Buildings have Negative Health Effects?

A recent blog on TheHill.com carried the headline “green” buildings could harm your health. This post was circulated widely via the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers weekly e-newsletter. In addition, regional and national publications have featured a similar story with equally concerning titles.

RMI’s Solutions Journal Online

RMI has a reputation for coming up with groundbreaking ideas and solutions to problems like unnecessary energy consumption, pollution, and fossil fuel addiction. But we know ideas are not enough. Ideas have true power only when we implement them successfully.

Addressing U.S. Energy Security at Naval War College (Video)

Recent news coverage has focused on how the massive energy demands on our military and defense infrastructure threaten our national security and drain the U.S. defense budget. In fact, The U.S Department of Defense is the single largest consumer of energy on the planet, using roughly 70 percent of our federal government’s energy, costing over $13 billion.

Inspiring Cities to Break Down Solar Roadblocks

Across the United States, there are nearly 20,000 local municipal and county governments served by a complex system of over 5,000 electric utilities. Each local government sets and enforces electrical, structural, and fire codes, while each utility sets rates and resource plans in conjunction with regulatory agencies. These elements all influence PV project development processes and physical system designs.